Spanning-frame.



K. F. JENSEN.

SPANNING FRAME.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 22, I9I3.

Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

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- Hozna M I I P a K.F.JE NSEN.

SPANNING FRAME.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 22, 1913.

Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

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SPANNING FRAME.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 22. 1913.

1 1 99,275 Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

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K. F. JENSEN.

SPANNING FRAME.

APPLICATION men OCT. 22. 1913.

Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

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UNITED STA as rarer FEQEQ KARL F. JENSEN, OF SOUTH RIVER, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO HERMANN AUKAM & CO., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SPANNING-FRAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 22, 1913. Serial No. 796,718.

To all whom it concern Be it known that I, KARL VF. JENSEN, a subject of the King of Sweden, and a resident of South River, in the county of Middlesex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spanning-Frames, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in frames for spanning pieces of fabric, such for example as handkerchiefs, for the purpose of holding the fabric While it is being embroidered or otherwise worked upon.

In the embroidering of handkerchiefs and the like in large numbers, it is the custom to mount a considerable number of handkerchiefs in a suitable frame, termed a ,spanning frame, the frame being so constructed as to hold straight and practically rigid the particular portion of each one of the handkerchiefs or other articles which are to be embroidered or otherwise worked upon, and then the frame or a plurality of such frames having the handkerchiefs or other articles spanned therein, is set Within a suitable embroidery machine, and by the operation of such machine the same ornamental figure or other device is stitched upon each of the handkerchiefs or other articles in such frame or frames, simultaneously. In such machines, there is no difficulty in providing a very large number of stitching mechanisms controlled by a single operating device in such manner that all of the various stitching mechanisms produce the desired figure; but, particularly when the figure to be stitched is to extend for a considerable distance parallel with one edge of the handkerchiefs or other article, or,

when the same figure is to be stitched at two or more corners of the handkerchiefs or other articles, it has been found dificult to so design spanning frames that a very large number of such handkerchiefs or other articles may be mounted in one frame of practicable size, and may be stitched at two or more corners, or along two edges, simultaneously. Obviously, so far as the work of embroidery or other stitching to be done on the pieces of fabric is concerned, it is neces sary to expose only those portions of each piece of fabric upon which the stitching or other embroidery is to be done; yet, to de sign a spanning frame which permits stitching at two or more corners, or along two edges, simultaneously, and exposes substantially only those portions of each strip of fabric upon which the embroidery or other st tching is to be done, and permits the close uxtaposition of such portions of a large number of handkerchiefs or'other pieces of fabric, has been found very difficult, and, so far as I am informed, has not been accomplished heretofore.

My invention comprises improvements in spanning frames wherebya larger number of handkerchiefs may be spanned within a frame of given dimensions, and whereby embroidery or other stitching of the handkerchiefs maybe conducted from four different points simultaneously; also improved clamping devices for use in such frames, and mechanism whereby all the clamping devices of the frame may be locked in place, and unlocked, simultaneously and at one operation;

Other features of my invention will appear hereafter. V

The objects of my invention are to improve the construction of spanning frames and the clamping and locking devices thereof; to provide improved and simplified means whereby a larger number of handkerchiefs or other articles may be spanned within given dimensions; to provide a frame wherein the embroidery or other stitching may be conducted simultaneously at a plurality of different points; and particularly at four points; to provide im proved and simplified means for holding the bight of the fabric; and generally to provide a spanning frame, applicable to existing embroidery machines of well known type, and which is simple, compact and efiicient.

I will now proceed to describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will then point out the novel features in claims.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 shows a top view of one form of my, improved spanning frame. Fig. 2 is a top View of an alternative form of spanning frame, in general of the same construction as that shown in Fig. l, but adapted for a somewhat wider spanning of the fabric. Fig. 3 shows a fragmentary side elevation of the spanning frame, on a larger scale than Fig. 1. Fig.

at shows a fragmentary top view and partial I, e section or the spanning frame. Flg. 5shows an end elevation of the spanning frame. Fig. 6 shows a transverse section of one side of the spanning frame on the line V-V of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 shows a similar section on the line X-X of Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary top view of one of the cam bars of the frame. Fig. 9 shows a longitudinal. section of the frame on the line YY of Fig. 1 but on a larger scale than Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the frame on the line Z-Z of Fig. 5. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line UU of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a perspective elevation of a pair of removable clamping strips such as are used in the frame. Fig. 13 is a fragmentary elevation of one of the clamp covers employed in the frame. Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic perspective view indicating the manner in which the edges of the strips of fabric are clamped prior to such strips being placed in the frame. Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 9, 2'. 0., is a vertical section on the line YY of Fig. 1, but shows a number of pieces of fabric and of clamping devices therefor, in place in the frame. Fig. 16 is a detail perspective view of one of the wire clamps upon which the bight of each strip of fabric is wound. Fig. 17 shows a transverse section of one side of the form of frame shown in Fig. 2, and of one of the side clips of that frame, the section being taken on the line T-T of Fig.

2. Fig. 18 shows an elevation of the parts.

shown in Fig. 17, the view being taken from the right of Fig. 17. Fig. 19 shows a detail sectional elevation taken on the line SS of Fig. 1, and shows particularly the hooks for preventing lateral fiexure of the end clamps.

My improved spanning frame, in the forms shown in the accompanying drawings, comprises a rectangular frame structure, the side members, 1, 1 of which are of channel section, as indicated particularly in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the end members 2 being of any convenient section. This frame 1-2 is provided, at suitably spaced points, with fixed clamping members 5 (Figs. 10 and 11) designed'to receive the bight of the fabric, as indicated particularly in Fig. 15. These clamping members 5 are arranged in pairs, the members of each pair being placed close together, as indicated particularly in Fig. 10. As shown particularly in Fig. 15, the bights of the various handkerchiefs or other pieces of fabric, are held between these clamping members 5.

At points intermediate the various pairs of clamping members 5, the two side members 1 of the frame are provided with seats 6 for other removable clamping members 7 shown particularly in Fig. 12, and with catches 8 for holding said clamping members 7 in place. As shown in Fig. 12, these clamping members 7 are strips "(usuallymetal strips) provided at their ends and at certain intermediate points, with flanges 9, the purpose of which will be explained hereafter. The ends. of the handkerchiefs or other pieces offabric to be spanned within the frame are gripped between the pairs of clamping members 7 before those clamping members are placed in the frame. The application of these clamping members 7 to the pieces of fabric is facilitated by the employment of the setting up apparatus shown in my companion application filed October 22, 1913, Sr. No. 796,719.

In applying the clamps to strips of fabric,-

(either in the machine of my said companion application, or otherwlse) edge portions of'the two pieces of the fabric areplaced, one against the inside face of .one clamping member 7 the other against the inside face of another clamping member 7, the two clamping members being then brought together, and a clamp cover 21 (Fig. 18) is pressed down over the two clamping members 7. Fig. 11 shows a plurality of strips of fabric held. at their edges by such clamping device. The clamp covers 21 are of approximate inverted U-section with outwardly projecting flanges 22 at the base, and are of resilient material. In press ing these clamp covers 21 down over the clamping members 7, the sides of the mem bers 21 are sprung apart somewhat, said,

clamp covers 21 thereforeacting by spring action to hold'the clamping strips 7 tightly together, and to hold the fabric tightly between them. The tight' holding of the fabricis further facilitated by the fact that each strip of fabric passes down between the outside of the corresponding clamping strip,

7 and the inside of the clamp cover 21 and under one of the base flanges 22 of the clamp cover 21.

The method of setting up a series of strips of fabric and of clamps is further illustrated in Fig. 1 1. The first strip of fabric, designated by reference letter A, is clamped by itself, along one edge, between the first pair of clamping members 7. The second edge of strip A, and the first edge of strip B, are

clamped together between the second pair of first pair of clamping strips 7, with the clamp cover 21 thereover, is placed over the first pair of seats 6 of the frame, and over the corresponding catches 8, and is pressed down, the catches S retreating'as such first pair of clamping members 7 is pressed down, and then springing forward again, engaging the end flanges 9 of those strips 7 and so holding the first pair of clamping strips in place. As shown particularly in Fig. 6, the clamp covers 21 are cut away somewhat at their ends to permit the catches S to engage the end flanges 9 of the strips 7. The second pair of clamping strips 7, with the clamp cover 21 thereover, is then placed over the second pair of seats 6 of the frame, and similarly pressed down and held; and so on. The bights 25 of the several strips of fabric are then passed downward between the intermediate pairs of clamping strips 5, a wire clamp 26, shown particularly in Fig. 16, is passed through each bight and then the bight is rolled up around such clamp 26, and the roll 27 (right of Fig. 15) thus formed, is pressed into catches 28 provided on the stationary clamping strips 5. In passing the bight 25 of each handkerchief or other strip of fabric down between the corresponding pair of stationary clamping strips 5, and in rolling up the bight and fastening it in the clamps 28, the portions 29 of such strip of fabric between the end clamps 7 and the intermediate clamps 5 of that strip, are drawn tight. Clamp covers 21 entirely similar to the clamp covers which have been applied over the strips 7, are then pressed over the clamping members 5 as illustrated in Fig. 15, the portions of the fabric 29 being thereby placed under considerable tension and being held perfectly flat, as illustrated at the right of Fig. 15. The end members 2 of the frame are provided with suitable hooks 30 which engage the two end clamps and hold them against lateral flexure under the strain due to the tension on the fabric. v r

The several clamps having been placed in the frame as just described, are further secured in place by forcing forward dogs 31. These dogs 31 are mounted in suitable guides in the side members 1 of the frame, opposite the positions for the removable clamping members 7 and also opposite the positions of the fixed clamping members 5, and are arranged to be pushed forward to engage the tops of the various clamp covers 21. These dogs 31 are operated by sliding cam bars 32 (see particularly Fig. 8) and also by suitable springs 33 (Figs. 4, 6 and 7). There are two of these cam bars 32, one on each side of the frame. Each such cam bar comprises for each of the dogs 31, on its side of the frame, an inclined cam face 31 adapted, by engagement with the corresponding dog, to retract that dog against the action of the corresponding spring; and each cam bar also comprises, for each corresponding dog.

31, an inclined face 35, adapted to force the dog forward, also a land 36 adapted, when in engagement with that dog, to hold the dog in its outermost position for retention of the corresponding clamp in place within the frame. At one end of the frame the cam bars 32 are provided with gears 37 engaged by pinions 38 on a transverse shaft 39, one end of which shaft is squared, as at 40, Fig. 5, for engagement of a suitable key or wrench therewith. It will be apparent that by rotating the shaft 39 the cam bars 32 may be moved longitudinally so as to move the various dogs 31 from forward to back positions or vice versa. 7

The cam bars 32 are also providedwith downward projections 41 (Figs. 3 and 6) which projections lock the catches 8 when the cam bars have been moved into position to draw back the dogs 31 from engagement with the clamp covers 21. The clamping strips 7 are therefore held during the removal of the clamp covers 21; nevertheless,

the catches 8 yield readily to permit removal of the clamping strips 7 when these strips are pulled out; the catches 8 being secured to the frame member 1 at points 8 which permit said catches 8 to move backward when the strips 7 are pulled up.

The manner of spanning handkerchiefs or other pieces of fabric in the frame hereinbefore described, is as follows: The clamping bars 7 are first applied to the handkerchiefs or other pieces of fabric, as already described, the resulting series of clamps and connected strips of fabric being as illustrated in Fig. 14:. The clampsso attached to the strips of fabric are then placed in the frame, upon the seats 6, being held in that frame once so placed, by the catches 8. The bights of the strips of fabric are then pressed down between the clamping mem bers 5, as indicated in Fig. 15, the wire clamping pieces 26 are applied to the bi hts,

as indicated near the center of Fig. 15, and then the bights are wound up and secured within the clasps 28, as indicated at the right of Fig. 15. Clamp covers 21 are then placed over the clamping strips 5, as indicated at the right of Fig. 15, and then, by rotation of the shaft 39, and operation of the cam bars 32, the dogs 31 are forced outward over the various clamp covers 21, thereby holding the various clamps firmly in place in the frame. The frame, with the handkerchiefs, or other strips of fabric, so spanned upon it, is then placed in the embroideryina chine, and the desired ornamentation is stitched upon the exposed portions of the strips of fabric by the action of such machine.

It will be observed, from inspection of Fig. 15, that two end portions of each handkerchief or other strip of fabric, are exposed in the frame, so that ornamentation may be stitched near each of the four corners of each strip of fabric and, if desired, may be stitched clear across that strip of fabric from one side to the other, parallel to the ends of the strip. The stitching having been completed, the frame is removed from the embroidery machine and the unspanning is conducted as follows: By reverse rotation of the shaft 39, the cam bars 32 are moved to retract the dogs 31. All of the clamp covers 21 are then removed, the removable clamping strips 7 being held in the frame, during.

the removal of their corresponding clamp covers 21, by the catches 8. The rolled up bights of fabric are then unrolled, the wire clamps 26 removed, and the handkerchiefs or other strips of fabric are removed from the frame, after which the removable clamping strips 7 are pulled out (the catches 8 yielding readily to permit this) and the frame is ready for the spanning of other handkerchiefs or the like therein.

If it is desired to stitch in two directions from each corner of the handkerchiefs' or the like, the handkerchiefs so removed from the frame may be turned around so that those edges which were at the side of the frame may be clamped between the clamp ing members 7, and then these handkerchicfs maybe spanned again and the further stitching performed.

W' hen it is desired to expose considerable widths of the handkerchiefs or the like in:

the spanning frame, it is desirable to provide means, intermediate the rows of clamps, to hold the edges of the fabric against drawing in. In such case suitable clasps 42 may be employed, as indicated in Figs. 2, 17 and 18. Any suitable form of clasp may be employed but the one illustrated in detail in Figs. 17 and 18 is convenient, such form comprising clamping jaws lat adapted to slide in and out on a support e3, and an operating lever 45. I

The support a3 is provided with ratchet teeth and the clasp it is provided with a spring pawl %6 adapted to engage the teeth of member 43. In the use of these clasps a pair of clasps, one on one side of the frame and one on the other side of the 1 frame, are engaged with the edge of the fabric, and then these clasps are moved out, i. 6., separated fromone another, until the fabric is placed under proper tension, the pawls 46 holding the clasps at the points to which they are thus adjusted.

What I claim is 1. A spanning frame comprising a frame proper and a plurality of clamping means extending across same and arranged to grip the ends of strips of fabric, and other clamping means intermediate said first mentioned clamping means and extending across the frame and provided with means for drawing tight the fabric between said intermediate clamping means and the first mentioned clamping means, and with means for holding the bight of the fabric.

2. A spanning frame comprising a frame proper and a plurality of clamping means extending across same and arranged to grip the ends of strips of fabric, and other clamping means intermediatefsaid first mentioned clamping means extending across the frame and provided with means for drawing tight the fabric between said intermediate clamping means and the first mentioned clamping means, and with means for holding the bight of'the fabric located on the under side of such intermediate clamping means.

3. Av spanning frame comprising a frame proper and a plurality of clamping means extending across same and arranged to-grip the ends of strips of fabric, and other clamping means intermediate said first men tioned clamping means and extending across the frame and provided with means for drawing tight the fabric between said "intermediate clamping means and the first mentioned clamping means, said first mentioned clamping means being removable from the frame, the frame being provided with releasablefastenings for both ends of such removable clamping means.

l. A spanning frame comprising a frame proper and a plurality of clamping means extending across same and arranged to grip the ends of strips of fabric, and other clamping means intermediate said first mentioned clamping means and extending across the frame and provided with. means for drawing tight the fabric between said inter mediate clamping means and the first mentioned clamping means, said first mentioned clamping means being removable from the frame, the frame being provided with fastenings for such removable clamping means, and with operating means for such fastenings adapted for operating such fastenings simultaneously tofasten in place and to release the removable clamping means.

5. A spanning frame comprising a frame proper and a plurality of clamping means extending across same and arranged to grip the ends of strips of fabric, and other clamping means intermediate said first mentioned clamping means and extending across the frame and provided with means for holding the bight of the fabric, and provided also with removable tension producing means for placing under tension the fabric between said intermediate clamping means and said first mentioned clamping means, the frame being provided with releasable fastenings for both ends of such tension pro ducing means.

6. A spanning frame comprising a frame.

proper and a plurality of clamping means extending across same-and arranged togrip frame and provided with means for holding the bight of the fabric, and provided also with tension producing means for placing under tension the fabric between said intermediate clamping means and said first mentioned clamping means, the frame being provided with fastenings for such tension producing means and with operating means for such fastenings adapted for operating such fastenings simultaneously to fasten in place and to release such tension producing means.

7 A spanning frame comprising a frame proper, a plurality of clamping means extending across same and removable therefrom and arranged to grip the ends of strips of fabric, and other clamping means intermediate said first mentioned clamping means and extending across the frame and arranged to hold the bights of said strips and also provided with tension producing means for placing under tension the portions of such strips intermediate said second mentioned clamping means and the removable clamping means, the frame being provided with fastenings for such removable clamping means and for such tension producing means, and with operating means for such fastenings adapted for operating such fastenings simultaneously.

8. A spanning frame comprising a frame proper and a plurality of clamping means extending across the same and comprising pairs of substantially parallel juxtaposed clamping strips and clamping covers adapted to fit over such strips and portions of fabric held thereby the frame being provided with releasable fastenings for both ends of such clamping covers.

9. A spanning frame comprising a frame proper and a plurality of clamping means extending across the same and comprising pairs of substantially parallel juxtaposed fixed clamping strips secured at their ends to said frame, seats for other removable clamping strips located intermediate such pairs of fixed clamping strips, clamping means comprising pairs of clamping strips adapted to fit within such seats, clamping covers for the pairs of clamping strips of the two series, and means for holding such clamping covers in place. 7

10. i spanning frame comprising a fram proper and a plurality of clamping means extending across the same and comprising pairs of substantially parallel juxtaposed clamping strips and clamping covers adapted to fit over such strips and portions of fabric held thereby, such covers being of approximately inverted U-section with outwardly projecting flanges at the ends of the U.

7 11. A spanning frame comprising a frame proper and a plurallty of clamping means extending across the same and comprising pairs of substantially parallel juxtaposed clamping strips, the strips of each pair comprising projections forming clips for holding rolls of fabric.

12. A spanning frame comprising a frame proper, having on opposite sides correspond- 1 ing seats for clamping means to extend across such frame, and having also means for holding such clamping means in place, comprising dogs movably mounted on the frame to move over positions for such clamping means, and means for operating such dogs simultaneously.

13. A spanning frame comprising a frame proper, clamping means extending across the same, dogs mounted on said frame to move toward and from such clamping means, and means for operating said dogs simultaneously, comprising cam bars, one on each side of such frame, each such bar having cam portions adapted to operate the corresponding dogs, and means for moving said cam bars in unison.

16. A spanning frame comprising a frame proper, clamping means extending across the same, releasable fastenings for said clamping means on each side of said frame, and means for operating said fastening means simultaneously, comprising cam bars, one 'on each side of such frame.

' 17 A spanning frame comprising a frame proper, clamping means extending across the same, releasable fastenings for said clamping means on: each side of said frame, and means for operating said fastening means simultaneously, comprising cam bars, one on each side of such frame, a transverse shaft and gears on said shaft engaging gear teeth pro-' vided on said cam bars, whereby the cam bars may be moved in unison.

18. A spanning frame comprising, a frame proper having two sides of channel section,

clamping means extending across the frame, releasable fastening means for such clamping means, on both sides of said frame, and means for operatingsuch fastening means located in the channels of sides of the frame.

19. A spanning frame comprising a frame proper having two sides of channel section,

clamping means extending across the frame, releasable fastening means for such clamping means, on both sides of said frame, and means for operating such fastening means comprising cams mounted within the channels of the sides of the frame and means for operating said cams.

20.7 A spanning frame comprising a frame proper, having on opposite sides correspond- 10 ing. seats for clamping means to extend across such frame, clamping means extending across such frame and comprising clamping strips having base flanges and clamping covers, fastenings for said clamping strips comprising spring catches having teeth adapted to engage the base flanges of said strips, and other fastening means for such clamp covers.

21. A spanning frame comprising a frame proper, having on opposite sides corresponding seats for clamping means to extend across such frame, clamping means extending across such frame and comprising clamping strips having base flanges and clamping covers, fastenings for said clamping strips comprising spring catches having teeth adapted to engage the base flanges of said strips, and other fastening means for such clamp covers comprising dogs mounted so on said frame to move toward and from such covers, and means for operating said dogs simultaneously, comprising cams, one on each side of such frame, each such cam having cam portions adapted to operate the corresponding dogs, and means for operating said cams. V

22. A spanning frame comprising a frame proper, having on opposite sides corresponding seats for clamping means to extend across such frame, clamping means extending across such frame and comprising clamping strips having base flanges zand clamping covers, fastenings for said clamping strips comprising spring catches having teeth adapted to engage the base flanges of said strips, and other fastening means for ing across such frame and resting in such seats and comprising clamping strips and clamping covers, said frame having fastening means for such clamping strips and other fastening means for such clamp covers,

and having also means for operating the fastening means of the clamp covers, arranged to hold the fastening means for the clamp strips in engagement with such clamp strips after release of the clamp covers by the corresponding fastening means.

24:. Aspanning frame comprising a frame proper, a plurality of clamping means eX- tending across same and adapted to hold fabric, and clasps adapted to en age edges of fabric so held by said clamping means, said frame provided with supports for said clasps, upon which said clasps are movable toward and from the fabric, said supports provided with ratchet teeth and said clasps provided with pawls to engage such teeth, whereby the clasps may be held in various positions to which they may be adjusted.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

KARL F. JENSEN;

Witnesses: FRANCIS J. CRYsTAL, Rona. F; FOUNTAIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Iatents,

Washington, D. G." 

